An anonymous Saudi prince has reportedly offered SR1m ($266,000) towards the blood money a Filipino worker must raise to avoid the death penalty for killing his landlord.
Philippines vice president Jejomar Binay said the money would help Joselito Zapanta, who was convicted and sentenced to death for killing his Sudanese landlord, Imam Ibrahim, during a dispute about rent in 2009, inquirer.net reported.
Ibrahim’s family is seeking SR4m in blood money, which under Saudi law can be paid to the family of a murder victim to avoid the death penalty.
The Philippine government also has raised nearly SR520,000, the website said.
“I hope that this amount, added to what the Philippine government has already raised, will be enough to spare Joselito’s life,” Binay was quoted as saying in a statement.
“There have been many people, especially among our own [countrymen], who have expressed their intention to help.
“While they choose to remain anonymous, their kindness has gone a long way in raising the amount needed to save Zapanta.”
Binay said negotiations to lower the amount of blood money were ongoing, while he was optimistic the Philippine government would convince the Saudi government to reverse the death penalty ruling.
Follow us on
